Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jim Steele, District 3 Supervisor
DATE: August 21, 2018
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the Position of the County of Lake Regarding the Future of Lake Pillsbury and the Potter Valley Project on the Eel River
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As you are aware, the Potter Valley Project is a hydroelectric and inter-basin water transfer project presently owned and operated by PG&E. Among its components is Scott Dam, which created Lake Pillsbury from headwaters sourced in the Mendocino National Forest.
You may also be aware that PG&E informed the Eel-Russian River Commission May 10, 2018, that they intend to sell the Potter Valley Project. This process is still in relatively early stages, but I believe it is important that our Board adopt a position statement regarding the future of the project, and particularly the maintenance of Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury, which supports the recreation economy of North Lake County.
I am our Board’s representative on the Eel-Russian River Commission and Congressman Jared Huffman’s Potter Valley Project Ad Hoc Committee, both of which will be important advisory bodies on the future of the Potter Valley Project.
Any proposals to purchase the project will ultimately be submitted and reviewed through public processes by the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and our Board will have further opportunities to weigh in through those processes.
FISCAL IMPACT: _X_ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost:
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Requested:
Annual Cost (if planned for future years):
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative): None
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable): None
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution Adopting the Position of the County of Lake Regarding the
Future of Lake Pillsbury and the Potter Valley Project on the Eel River.